Relate, create, innovate: New ways to tell a story

David Kempa, a reporter for News21, a summer reporting project where writers set out to define innovation, traveled to the Mexican border and into southern Mexico and produced a three-part piece that looks closely at economic conditions in the area.

As you scroll through the project, the graphic elements at the top of the page help drive the users' navigation through the story.

Today’s Tip: Redefine storytelling. The Internet provides ample space for photos, videos, words and graphics. Take advantage of the opportunity to engage your audience and help them connect to your stories even more.

As reporters, look for ways to integrate multimedia elements into your stories. For instance, Joe Drape, the horse-racing reporter for The New York Times, provided a video looking at the fates of older racehorses.

Called “Where Do Racehorses Go?” it lasts 7 minutes and 14 seconds and helps the audience connect emotionally to the story.

For tips on how to augment stories with multimedia, check out the Innovation Roundup from the News21 group.